How to Protect Your Enamel

Need tips to protect your enamel? Want to know what dentists recommend for maintaining healthy enamel? Does your dentist in Howell, Michigan say you need to take better care of your enamel?

Tooth enamel is the hard outer covering of your tooth that helps protect it from exposure to damaging wear and erosion. Enamel is actually the hardest substance of the human body, but it’s not indestructible!

Protecting your enamel goes a long way to helping your teeth and your smile overall, so it’s important to know what you can do every day to preserve it.

Check out our top tips below for protecting your enamel:

1. Watch your pressure: when brushing your teeth, don’t apply too much pressure. This can wear away the enamel on your teeth and expose the dentin to serious damage. Light pressure will clean your teeth more than adequately and keep your enamel tough.
2. Know your acids: brushing your teeth right after eating foods like citrus, tomato, or soda can be very damaging to your enamel. Instead, drink water and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth.
3. Opt for soft: although soft, medium, and hard bristles are sold together in the toothbrush aisle, soft bristles are suitable for almost everybody and hard bristles should almost never be used in your mouth.
4. Good technique: holding your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gum line and brushing with short strokes is the best way to clean your teeth and preserve your enamel. Make sure to cover the inner, outer, and chewing surfaces of every tooth.
5. Visit your Dentist in Howell, Michigan: if you have any concerns about your enamel or oral health, your dentist is a great resource whether you’re overdue or between regular visits.

Although enamel is on the surface of your teeth, it’s really the foundation for a healthy smile. Follow these tips and keep your enamel strong for years to come. If you have any questions about your enamel or oral hygiene, give your dentist in Howell, Michigan a call today for tips on everything from teeth brushing, which products to use, to common mistakes you could be making.

How to Break 5 Bad Dental Habits

Are you sure you’re taking the best possible care of your teeth?

Are you doing everything you can to make sure that your teeth and gums are not only healthy, but aren’t irritated or inflamed?

Are you aware of any bad habits that could be compromising the overall health of your mouth and gums?

Don’t feel guilty – bad habits happen to all of us! We all have cheats and tricks to get out of chores we don’t like, and those can include issues with brushing, flossing and taking care of our teeth!

Catching these bad habits could be the thing standing in the way between you and a great dental exam.

Here are some common mistakes we see in our patients’ six month checkups:

• Getting carried away while brushing
• Whitening too much
• Grinding your teeth/clenching your jaw
• Trying to take care of aches and pains at home

Brushing your teeth correctly is always going to outweigh how much you brush your teeth. In fact, brushing too vigorously can actually mean you’re not doing a good job getting rid of germs and plaque! Slow down, take your time, and be gentle!

Teeth whitening can be addictive. You want a shiny, sparkly smile, and there are plenty of over-the-counter products to help you. Always talk to your dentist before you try a new product to find out what they recommend, and remember to only whiten your teeth once or twice per year! Whitening too often can inflame your gums and damage your enamel.

If you’re grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw, there are a variety of reasons why this can be detrimental to your health! If you’re doing it at night, grinding and clenching can be signs of stress, anxiety, or larger dental problems such as TMJ disorder. Talk to your dentist if you notice a sore jaw, or frequent headaches!

Most importantly, never try to tackle dental work at home. It can be tempting to use wives’ tales or internet advice to take care of a toothache, but this could lead to bigger problems. If you’re having trouble with your teeth or gums, call your dentist right away.

Many bad dental habits are caused by anxiety about seeing the dentist. We know it can be scary, and that’s why we work hard to make our practice a comfortable place, and use only gentle dental procedures and methods. To find out more, contact Dr. DiStefano & Associates today!

Kid Friendly Guide For Fighting Cavities With Fluoride

Trying to teach your child how to brush their teeth can be challenging! Trying to teach them about healthy habits to promote good oral health can be even more challenging, especially when you have to cut back on the sweets and sodas that your child loves.

To help your kids understand why oral health is so important, you can teach them about the built-in cavity fighters in their drinking water!

Teaching kids this way can make them feel like they’re protecting their teeth just by using the water in their tap, making it less like a chore.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has a quick 4-step guide for you to explain to your kids how to maintain good oral health:

1. Drink water that has fluoride
2. Brush twice a day with the right amount of fluoridated toothpaste
3. Eat a healthy diet, limiting sweet drinks, sticky candies, and snacks
4. Talk to your dentist or doctor about fluoride treatments

Regulated amounts of fluoride in the drinking water in most cities will help your children get the fluoride they need to put them on the right track to oral health just by brushing their teeth!

You can also purchase fluoride-free dental products for very small children (younger than two years old) to save for when they’re able to take care of their dental hygiene themselves.

When they’re ready to learn, you can find more information on our website, or by visiting your trusted family dentist in Howell, Michigan!

Fluoride Myths & Facts

Do you have conflicting feelings about fluoride?

Do you have concerns about the fact that fluoride is in the water you get from your tap, and in a lot of dental products available at the drugstore?

Before you make up your mind, make sure you have the facts!

As your trusted family dentist in Howell, Michigan, our team at Dr. DiStefano & Associates wants to make sure that you have all the information about products you can buy right at your fingertips.

Myths About Fluoride

• “Fluoride doesn’t belong in the drinking water.”
• “Adding fluoride is forced medication.”
• “We can already get fluoride in toothpaste, so we don’t need it in our drinking water.”
• “Fluoride is especially unsafe for small children.”

The Facts About Fluoride:

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fluoride occurs naturally in water, though rarely at the optimal level to protect teeth.
• Many scientific studies and reviews have recognized fluoride as an important nutrient for strong, healthy teeth!
• Fluoridated water is the best way to protect everyone’s teeth from decay, and communities use guidelines from the CDC to regulate the amount of fluoride needed in the water to promote good oral health.
• Getting enough fluoride in childhood is important to strengthening our teeth for an entire lifetime, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics!

Looking For More?

If you have more questions about fluoride use and regulations, please talk to your dentist! We can recommend products to use for added fluoride and ease your concerns about excessive fluoride use, especially for small kids.

Call your family dentist in Howell, Michigan today to find out how we can help, or visit our website for more information!

How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

Have you ever had that dream when your teeth start falling out? Would you know how to handle it if reality imitated the dream?

Real life dental emergencies happen, sometimes at the most inconvenient times. If you’re armed with a few tips to handle a few common dental emergencies, you can do a lot to minimize the damage and even save a tooth!

• Knocked-out permanent tooth? Keep it moist. Without forcing it or touching the roots, try reinserting the tooth. Alternatively, hold the tooth in your cheek, in a glass of milk, or in a tooth preservation product. Get to your dentist as soon as possible. 
• Cracked or chipped tooth? Save any broken pieces and rinse them and your mouth with warm water. Apply a cold compress to any swollen or sore areas of the face and mouth. 
• Toothache? Rinse your mouth with warm water and try to floss around the sore areas. A lodged piece of food can often be the culprit. Do NOT apply pain relievers directly to the area. 
• Abscess? Pimple-like swelling on the gums? Because this is a potentially dangerous infection, call your dentist right away. Draw the infection out by rinsing with a mild salt water solution several times a day. 
• Broken braces or wires? If a broken wire is causing discomfort, try to use a pencil eraser to reposition the wire. You can also cover the wire the dental wax. Do not try to cut the wire. Call your dentist for a repair. 

To address your dental emergencies, try gentle dental in Howell, Michigan. We have time in our schedule set aside to treat emergencies and can put you in contact with dentist in an emergency after hours. Give us a call today!

5 Rules for Dental Work during Pregnancy

Not sure if you should keep your regular dentist appointment now that you’re pregnant? Need help figuring out what’s safe and what’s not at the dentist’s office if you’re pregnant?

The world becomes infinitely more complicated the moment you find out you’re pregnant. Luckily, when it comes to the dentist and pregnancy, there are 5 simple rules you can follow to keep yourself and baby happy and healthy.

1. Don’t cancel your regular appointment. Exams and cleanings are perfectly safe during pregnancy. In fact, some of the hormones produced during pregnancy tend to cause gum sensitivity, bleeding, and increased risk of gum disease, so it’s important to go to the dentist during your pregnancy to prevent infection. 
2. Tell your dentist everything. Your dentist and hygienist should know that you’re pregnant, any medications you’re taking, and any special medical advice your doctor has provided for your pregnancy. If they know the details, they’ll take better care of you!
3. Avoid x-rays if possible. Regular check-up x-rays can and should be postponed until after you have your baby. However, if you need any dental procedures during pregnancy that require an x-ray, wearing the appropriate protection will keep baby safe. The very small risk of x-ray exposure is much smaller than the risk of postponing necessary dental work. 
4. No elective dentistry. Any elective or unnecessary procedures can wait. Preventative or corrective dentistry is important to do to keep you and baby healthy, but elective procedures like whitening treatments or replacing older metal fillings are better put on hold. 
5. Be comfortable. As the baby grows, if you need to visit the dentist, bring whatever you need to be comfortable whether that’s a pillow or some tunes!

If you require a more serious procedure like a root canal, you’ll want to work with your dentist to minimize medication you receive while making sure you’re totally comfortable.

It’s important for your and baby’s health to minimize your stress by not experiencing unnecessary, excessive pain.

If you follow these easy rules, you’ll have nothing to worry about when it comes to dentistry and pregnancy. For gentle dental in Howell, Michigan during your pregnancy, give us a call. We can answer any questions you have about dental care and procedures while you’re pregnant and after baby arrives!

3 Quick Tips to Improving Your Dental Routine

Are you looking for a way to improve your dental routine so you can have better checkups?

Do you want to make sure you get a clean bill of health every time you see your dentist, and take care of your teeth in between appointments?

You know how important it is to take care of your teeth, and there are some things you can start doing right away to make your checkups less painful and less stressful for you.

1. Eat better – A good diet isn’t just good for your waistline – it’s good for your mouth, too! Your diet can have a huge impact on the health of your gums and teeth. Carb-heavy foods usually have high sugars; try switching to more fruits and vegetables.
2. Switch your toothbrush regularly – Whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush, make sure you’re changing it every few months or whenever the bristles start to fray. You should also get one sooner if you’re getting over a cold or the flu to prevent re-infection. 
3. Read the labels on your dental products – Not all products are created equally. When you buy new toothpaste, make sure you take a few seconds to read the label. The American Dental Association has a list of recommended toothpastes. These toothpastes typically contain fluoride, which helps to minimize the oral bacteria that causes cavities, in addition to strengthening tooth enamel.

If you want some more advice on how to amp up your dental routine, call Dr. DiStefano’s office! Our team of friendly, highly trained dental professionals will give you the best care personalized just for you.

We also offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures so you can improve your smile even more.

Visit our website or call us today to get started!

Why Do We Visit the Dentist Every 6 Months?

Do you have trouble remembering to schedule your dental exams?

Do you wonder why you have to go twice a year, even if you’re not experiencing problems with your teeth?

There’s a reason you trust your dentist to take care of your teeth, and it’s because you don’t always do a good enough job, even if you’re diligent about keeping your health top-of-mind.

According to the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, “More than 50 years ago, […] few people took good care of their teeth. There were no guidelines for how often you should see a dentist. Many dentists focused on fixing problems rather than preventing them.”

After that, the different dental and health organizations decided there was a need to set standards for preventive dentistry, and came up with the “twice a year” rule that we use today.

However, you should take your own personal health habits and personal hygiene into account when you schedule your appointments. For example, if you’ve recently had a procedure or cosmetic dentistry work done, you might want to see your dentist more than twice a year to make sure you’re staying healthy.

If you’re part of a high-risk group of people that includes smokers, pregnant women, diabetics, people with current gum disease, people with a weak immune system, or people to tend to build up plaque, you should see your dentist more frequently.

To schedule an appointment with a member of our team today, give us a call or visit our website! We provide standard cleanings, x-rays, and a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Your Holiday-Ready, White Smile Guide

The holidays are coming, the holidays are coming! Are you ready for the pictures, the smiles, the getting up close and personal with distant relatives? If you’re looking for quick, easy, effective tips to brighten up your smile just in time for the festivities, read on.

As your providers of gentle dental in Howell, Michigan we have the tips for whiter teeth.

As you prepare for and head out to holiday parties, avoid teeth staining agents as much as possible. Things like red wine, dark juices, coffee, and black tea stain your teeth and should be kept to a minimum for a whiter smile.

If it’s snack time or the end of a meal, eat to clean. Crisp, fibrous foods like celery, carrots, apples, and even popcorn actually clean your teeth while you eat so they’re a great way to end a meal.

For a stain fighting, bacteria neutralizing boost, gargle apple cider vinegar before brushing. The vinegar will work to remove stains and kill bacteria for fresher breath and stain prevention.

To prevent staining, do everything you can to get all the bacteria out of your mouth when you’re brushing. That means brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper.

Maintain the peak of effectiveness while brushing by replacing your toothbrush or brush head every three months. Effective brushing means a whiter smile!

And don’t forget our team, practicing gentle dental care in Howell, Michigan. Regular cleanings will keep your teeth whiter and healthier! If you’re looking to kick the whitening up a notch, we have the tools and techniques to help. Give us a call and set up an appointment today.

The DOs and DON’Ts of Holiday Eating

Are you a sucker for a sweet holiday treat? Worried what that plate of grandma’s fudge is going to do to your pearly whites?

Come holiday time, we are basically bombarded by sugar in all shapes in sizes. As the source for gentle dental in Howell, Michigan, we have a few tips to keep your teeth safe this season!

1. DO treat sugar as the enemy and have a dynamic strategy to defeat it. Try your best to limit the amount of sugar you eat. Spend less time eating sugar by hitting the dessert tray just once and avoiding hard candies you have to suck for a while. Indulge in holiday goodies that aren’t sugar-laden like an extra serving of mashed potatoes, or a savory dip. 
2. DON’T make your teeth into the family handyman by using them for odd jobs. Nuts? Use a nutcracker and not your teeth. Don’t test your chompers by attempting to open a bottle with them. And don’t use your teeth to tear open the packaging of your kids’ new toys.
3. DO be prepared, especially if you’re travelling. Make sure you pack a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss for the whole family if you’re spending the holidays away. Also, keep your dental insurance information handy, just in case. Even if you’re only stepping out for the evening, having travel toothbrushes can help you stick with your brushing habit if you stay out late. 
4. And DON’T forget about your gentle dental professionals in Howell, Michigan. We’re here for you whether you need a cleaning, regular dental work, or care after a dental emergency.

Remember, if you haven’t got your six month check up scheduled for the new year yet, there’s still time! Pick up the phone and give us a call or visit our website to find out more about our gentle dental procedures.

How To Stop Snoring at Night

Do you wake up in the morning feeling tired and sluggish?

Do you toss and turn during the night because of snoring?

The quality of your sleep can affect all areas of your health – fatigue can slow your metabolism, and increase your appetite, causing weight gain. Untreated sleep apnea is also associated with a higher risk of depression, diabetes, and heart disease.

Once you get into a cycle of interrupted and restless sleep, it can be hard to get out of it, especially when snoring is thrown into the mix!

Building a good sleep routine is important not only to relieving symptoms of sleep apnea, but other areas of your health as well. If you’re having trouble sleeping and other remedies aren’t working, consider oral appliance therapy!

What Is Oral Appliance Therapy?

Oral appliance therapy is a remedy for sleep apnea that is easy to fit into your nighttime routine. A comfortable mouth guard is worn at night to push the jaw forward, opening up the upper airway for easier breathing.

Your Howell family dentist can help you get a custom-fit oral appliance for wearing at night and work with you and your primary physician to ensure you get relief. This appliance can also help with teeth grinding and jaw clenching, which can disturb your sleep.

Contact Your Howell Family Dentist Today!

Schedule an appointment to discuss your options with your dentist. Your dentist can give you advice on how to get more sleep and help you with any oral problems that are keeping you awake.

Call us at 517-546-8983 to get started on your road to recovery today!

Is It the Right Time for Braces?

Has your dentist recommended braces for your child? Are you wondering if it’s the right time or best option? We understand your hesitation! Braces can be a lot for a family to handle. As a team of experienced dental professionals, here is our advice.

Ideal Age

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends children see an orthodontist by the time they turn 7. While this may seem like a young age to take your child to an orthodontist, an early evaluation can detect problems at the beginning stages so they can be corrected before they become more serious. Early treatment holds great advantages for your child’s future smiles by creating a healthy, comfortable bite while they are still growing.

Have a Conversation

Talk to your child about the braces. If you hear any concern on their end, try your best to work with it. Some kids will be excited, but if you have a child on the other side, talking can make the process less stressful.

Emphasize the Fun

If your child isn’t excited about braces, there are some built-in perks you can sell! Customizing the colored bands on braces and getting picked up a few minutes early from school for dentist’s appointment might be enough to do the trick.

If you’re thinking it is the right time or if you still have questions, give us a call at (517) 546-8983 today! Come see us for pediatric dentistry in Howell, Michigan. We can refer you to a great orthodontist and get your questions answered.

Time for Braces! Can I Handle This?

Between cost and stress on your child, potential discomfort, and appointments, yeah, it can be a lot… But, yes, you can handle it!

We can work with you to get you a referral to a great orthodontist that will take care of you and your child.

Worried about stressing your child out? We recommend including them in the conversation and decision-making. If they’re not excited about braces at first, give them a little time to adjust and keep talking through it.

Worried about causing your child discomfort? There can be some discomfort with braces and getting a dental exam, but our team of dental professionals prides itself in gentle, family-friendly care. We want to see your child smile as much as you do!

Worried about all the appointments? We make it a priority to stick to a strict schedule, which minimizes your wait time and your time in office. And once you get started, adjustment appoints are quick, quick, quick!

Come see us for pediatric dentistry in Howell, Michigan. Give us a call today at (517) 546-8983. Get your questions answered and make your whole family smile brighter.

Smart Shopping: Which Dental Ingredients to Avoid

Are you struggling to decide what kinds of products you should be buying when you go to the store?

Are you worried that the products you invest in could actually be doing more harm than good?

You’re not alone! Deciding what products to buy for you and your family can be stressful. At Dr. DiStefano’s office, the premier family dentist in Howell, Michigan, we want to help educate you on what types of dental products you should avoid based on their ingredients.

• Buy products that are approved by the ADA: When shopping for dental products, make sure you look for the ADA seal of approval on the packaging. Products that aren’t approved by the ADA could be harmful to your teeth and gums.
• Avoid products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate. The American College of Toxicology says that this ingredient can cause irritation and canker sores.
• Avoid aspartame. You might be familiar with this artificial sweetener in foods, but it can also be found in some toothpastes. 

Talk to your dentist to find out what types of toothpaste, mouthwash, and types of floss are best for your needs. Your family dentist in Howell, Michigan might recommend that you stay away from certain products that could cause you more discomfort.

Looking For More?

If you’d like more information, visit our website, or call us today to speak with a member of our team! Dr. DiStefano’s office is the premier family dentist in Howell, Michigan and takes great pride in serving the community. Contact us today to find out how we can help you!

Ultimate Toothpaste Guide

You visit your dentist every six months on schedule, and take good care of your teeth in between.

You floss, and brush twice a day, and make sure you never skip a day of your dental routine.

Are you sure you’re doing everything you can to take great care of your teeth in between checkups? Did you know that the type of toothpaste you’re using could be the difference between a bad checkup and a great checkup with your dentist?

At Dr. DiStefano’s office, we want to help you take great care of your teeth in between checkups and save you time at the store. Take a look at some of the different categories of toothpaste listed below to figure out what kind will work best for you!

Different Types Of Toothpaste:

• Whitening Toothpaste: Almost every brand you’re familiar with offers a different type of whitening toothpaste. Be careful when you purchase this type – some products contain harsh materials to scrub away surface stains! Whitening toothpaste can cause sensitivity and is not recommended for people under the age of 18. If you want to whiten your teeth with toothpaste, talk to your family dentist in Howell, Michigan for safer, cheaper options!
• Sensitivity Toothpaste: Some people experience discomfort when drinking hot or cold foods. If you have this problem, consider getting toothpaste that’s made for sensitivity! This specially formulated toothpaste is less abrasive than regular toothpastes.
• Children’s Toothpaste: Many brands make toothpastes especially for kids that are specially formulated. These toothpastes can be swallowed (just in case your child accidentally swallows while brushing) and comes in kid-friendly flavors that contain less fluoride.
• Tartar Control: This type of toothpaste contains ingredients that work to break down plaque that has already formed on the teeth before it hardens. This toothpaste can be used as a preventative measure for people who are prone to developing tartar.

If you still have questions about what type of toothpaste you should be using, contact your family dentist in Howell, Michigan!

Let us know during your next checkup. We may be able to give you a sample of specialty toothpaste, or suggest which type would best suit your needs.

Soothing Techniques For Patients

Are you nervous or anxious just walking into the reception area of your dentist’s office?

What happens when you go into the exam room? Do your nerves get even worse?

Going to the dentist can be a stressful and sometimes even a fearful experience for people. Some surveys suggest that dental phobia affects 13% to 24% of people around the world!

With so many people suffering from anxiety and stress at the dentist, we want to make sure that you’re always comfortable and relaxed when you visit Dr. DiStefano & Associates!

We use many gentle dental techniques when you come to visit us to ensure your comfort and to soothe any lingering anxieties you might have when you come in, whether for a teeth cleaning, to get a cavity filled, or for any other procedure we offer.

If you get nervous before visiting the dentist, here are some suggestions for things you can do to make sure that you’re as calm and collected as possible in the waiting room and exam room.

• Bring your ipod and listen to music in the waiting room! Listening to your favorite artist can relax you and put you in a better mood.
• If sitting in the waiting room makes you anxious, try not to arrive too early. Get there 10 minutes early (if you don’t have to fill out paperwork!) to decrease the amount of time you sit and think about your procedure.
• Talk to your dentist! Many dentists and hygienists know that people can be nervous about their dental appointments, and many will go out of their way to make sure that you’re comfortable.

For more information or to find out how the team at Dr. DiStefano’s office can help you get over your dental phobia, contact us today!

Different Methods of Dental Sedation

Do you suffer from dental phobia?

Do you get nervous or anxious sitting in the waiting room at your dentist’s office waiting for your name to get called?

Are you nervous about having any kind of procedure done?

You’re not alone! Many Americans suffer from dental phobia, and luckily, many dentists are now offering sedation to help those people.

If you’re getting a root canal or any other kind of painful procedure that causes your nerves to go into overdrive, let us take care of you with gentle dental procedures! We want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible, and want to inform you about all the strides in dentistry when it comes to sedation methods.

When Would I Need To Be Sedated?

Most people are sedated only in surgical or lengthy dental procedures where the procedure itself would be painful, or would take more than an hour to complete. Some examples of these kinds of procedures are root canals, teeth extractions, and wisdom teeth removal.

Different Types of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is a great alternative for people who experience fear when they visit their dentist. There are several different types:

• Inhaled minimal sedation: You breathe nitrous oxide – “laughing gas” – combined with oxygen through a mask placed over your nose. 
• Oral sedation: Depending on the dose given, this can range from minimal to moderate (you may not remember much of the procedure). A pill taken before the procedure will make you drowsy.
• IV moderate sedation: You receive the drug through an IV, which may help eliminate pain and fear.
• Deep sedation and general anesthesia: This type will make you either slightly or totally unconscious throughout the procedure. This type of sedation may require a longer recovery period.

Talk to your dentist if you think being sedated during your procedures would make you more relaxed! At Dr. DiStefano’s office, we believe that gentle dental procedures are the best way to keep people coming back for their appointments and to help them get over their fears.

Veneers As A Way To Improve Smiles

Are you self-conscious about the way your smile looks?

Are you considering oral surgery to fix the shape of your teeth?

Are you nervous about getting a cosmetic dentistry procedure done?

You’re not alone! Oral surgeries and cosmetic procedures can be scary, especially if you’ve never been to your dentist for anything but a general checkup before.

Don’t worry, your dentist wants to help you get the smile you’ve always wanted! There are several ways your dentist can help you get your confidence back. One that you might not know about is dental veneers.

How Can Veneers Improve My Smile?

Veneers are applied to the face of your tooth and can give the appearance of a white, perfect tooth even if your originals are discolored, misshapen or cracked.

Porcelain veneers can cover up a variety of imperfections on the face of the tooth, and can be matched to the color of your existing teeth.

In addition to covering up any insecurities you might have about your smile, porcelain veneers don’t stain as easily as a natural teeth, and can last longer, allowing you to have the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted for years to come.

Are Veneers a Painful Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure?

The process of bonding the veneers to the teeth typically takes two to three dentist visits to complete, and the dentist will apply a local anesthetic before the procedure. The overall process is not very painful, but can be uncomfortable.

Where Can I Get More Information About Cosmetic Dentistry?

For more information about porcelain veneers, the process of getting them applied to your teeth, and how to take care of them afterwards, visit our website! On our site you can also find information about other cosmetic dentistry procedures that Dr. DiStefano & Associates provides.

Princeton Scientist Creates “Tooth Tattoos”

Do you like tattoos? Do you have a few of your own?

What if you could get one on your teeth?

It sounds silly, but a Princeton scientist is developing a tattoo that could detect bacteria in the mouth.

This could help doctors and patients identify when someone is coming down with a cold, or worse.

According to scientist Michael McAlpine’s interview on Princeton’s website, “the system not only has the ability to supply fast results, but is able to detect very small amounts of bacteria — a feature that could prove critical in treating certain diseases.”

You’ve probably heard before that the mouth can tell your dentist and your doctor a lot about your overall health. Health problems like heart disease can often be diagnosed in a dentist office rather than your primary physician’s office.

How cool would it be to have a tattoo on your tooth that could tell you when you’re getting a cold?

According to the article on Princeton’s website, “The researchers created the tattoo by bundling the silk and gold with graphene — an extremely thin sheet of carbon in which atoms are arranged in a honeycomb lattice. The material's unique properties allowed the researchers to construct a small, flexible device able to detect bacteria at a much higher sensitivity level than traditional methods.”

The team at Princeton’s plan is to conduct more studies to better understand how they could make this a real life solution. You can read the full article and see prototype pictures here.

What do you think? Would you ever consider getting this type of cosmetic dentistry procedure done?

Dr. DiStefano’s office provides a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures in Howell, Michigan, and is always available to consult you. If you’re looking to improve your smile and your health, visit our website today to schedule an appointment!

Tips To Make Your Child Great at Flossing

If you have kids, you know how challenging it can be to teach them proper brushing and flossing habits.

Some kids have trouble learning how to hold a toothbrush or figuring out how to reach all their teeth, and trying to teach them how to floss properly can be a nightmare.

If you’re having trouble teaching your child proper flossing habits, our staff at Dr. DiStefano’s office want to help! As the premier source for pediatric dentistry in Howell, Michigan, our team of friendly and knowledgeable professionals knows how hard it can be to even get your child to sit still long enough to learn!

1. Start teaching your child to floss when their teeth begin to touch. Since kids often have large gaps between their teeth, wait until they fit closer together to teach them the right way to floss.
2. Teach your kids using wide, flat dental tape. Several brands make “easy glide” dental floss that will feel better on your child’s gums.
3. Make sure to floss both sides of their teeth! Even if your child is missing a tooth on one side, it’s important to floss both sides of every tooth.
4. Some kids might benefit from using a flosser that is designed for small hands. GUM Crayola brand makes small flossers that are bright and colorful, and are designed for small hands.

Getting your kids in the habit of brushing and flossing everyday while they’re young will encourage them to keep up those habits into their young adult and adult lives!

If your kids aren’t getting the hang of it, make sure to stop in and see Dr. DiStefano & Associates! We want to help your kids learn how to take better care of their teeth, and help you with the teaching process as well!

Call us at 517-546-8983 or visit our website for more information about pediatric dentistry in Howell, Michigan or to set up your first appointment!